JP5987551B2 - Information storage device, information system, terminal, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information storage device such as NAS (Network Attached Storage), a terminal, an information system including them, and a program.

  In recent years, mobile terminals such as smartphones have been widely used. In some portable terminals such as smartphones, a removable storage medium such as an SD card can be further connected in order to expand the information storage capability.

  In order to develop applications for such smartphones, as disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1, the removable storage medium can be emulated by a disk image of a development personal computer and used on a terminal emulator. There is a development program.

inet: Use the Android emulator's virtual SD card [March 30, 2012 search], Internet <URL: http://www.usefullcode.net/2010/12/androidsd.html>

  Furthermore, a user of a mobile terminal such as a smartphone can store various data such as executable data such as an application stored in an information storage device such as NAS placed at home or work, and video data on the go. There is a request to use.

  Here, for example, the executable data is not supported on the smartphone side until the execution module is read out via the network, regardless of whether the executable data is stored in a storage medium such as an SD card and connected to the smartphone. is the current situation. However, if the necessary data must be copied in advance to the storage medium, the convenience is low.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an information storage device, an information system, a terminal, and a program that can improve convenience.

  The present invention for solving the problems of the conventional example described above is an information storage device that communicates with a terminal connected to a removable storage medium and distributes data to the terminal. Storage means for storing data to be generated, and generation means for generating a disk image associated with identification information unique to each storage medium attached to and detached from the terminal side and storing at least a part of the data And receiving means for receiving the identification information of the storage medium connected to the terminal from the terminal, and distributing data in the disk image associated with the received identification information to the terminal side. Is.

  The information processing apparatus may further include a unit that acquires information regarding a communication speed with the terminal, and the generation unit may select the data to be distributed based on the acquired information regarding the communication speed.

  Furthermore, one embodiment of the present invention is an information system including a terminal connected to a removable storage medium, and an information storage device that communicates with the terminal and distributes data. A storage unit for storing data to be distributed to a terminal, and a disk image associated with identification information unique to each storage medium attached to and detached from the terminal, the disk image storing at least a part of the data Generating means for generating, from the terminal, distribution means for receiving identification information of a storage medium connected to the terminal, and distributing data in a disk image associated with the received identification information to the terminal side; Is to be included.

  Another aspect of the present invention is a program that communicates with a terminal connected to a removable storage medium and stores a data distributed to the terminal by a computer that distributes the data to the terminal. Storage means for generating a disk image associated with identification information unique to each storage medium attached to and detached from the terminal side, the disk image storing at least a part of the data, and the terminal And receiving the identification information of the storage medium connected to the terminal, and functioning as distribution means for distributing the data in the disk image associated with the received identification information to the terminal side. .

  Furthermore, another aspect of the present invention is a terminal connected to a removable storage medium, stores data to be delivered to the terminal, and is unique identification information for each storage medium attached to the terminal A disk image that stores at least a part of the data, and receives identification information of a storage medium connected to the terminal from the terminal, and the received identification information While the communication unit that communicates data in the associated disk image to the terminal side and the communication unit can communicate with the information storage unit, the information storage unit While the data in the disk image generated in association with the identification information unique to the storage medium is accessed and the communication means cannot communicate with the information storage device, the terminal And data access means for accessing the data held in the storage medium connected, in which it was decided to include a.

  Here, when the communication means that is in a state where communication with the information storage device is not possible enables communication with the information storage device, the information storage device generates the information associated with identification information unique to the storage medium. Synchronization control means for synchronizing the data in the disk image with the data held in the storage medium connected to the terminal is further included.

  Furthermore, a program according to another aspect of the present invention stores data to be distributed to a terminal computer connected to a removable storage medium, and is specific to each storage medium that is attached to and detached from the terminal side. A disc image associated with the identification information of the storage device, the disc image storing at least a part of the data is generated, the identification information of the storage medium connected to the terminal is received from the terminal, and the received A communication unit that communicates data in a disk image associated with identification information to an information storage device that distributes data to the terminal side, and the information storage unit while the communication unit can communicate with the information storage device. An apparatus accesses data in a disk image generated in association with identification information unique to a storage medium, and the communication means communicates with the information storage apparatus. While not possible signal is obtained by a function as an, and data access means for accessing the data held in the storage medium connected to the terminal.

  According to the present invention, since a disk image related to a storage medium connected to the terminal side is generated and data stored in the disk image is distributed, the convenience for the user can be improved.

It is a block diagram showing the structural example of the information storage device in the information system which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and an information system. It is a block diagram showing the example of a structure of the terminal of the information system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram showing the example of the information storage device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart showing the operation example in the initialization process of the information system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing showing the example of storage of the disk image by the information storage device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart showing the example of the delivery operation | movement of the disk image of the information system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram showing another example of the information storage device concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a flowchart showing the operation example of the terminal which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The information system according to the embodiment of the present invention includes an information storage device 1 and a terminal 2 as illustrated in FIG. In addition, the information storage device 1 and the terminal 2 are connected to be communicable at least intermittently via a network.

  In the present embodiment, this network may include not only a wired network but also a wireless network (Wi-Fi network) connected to the wired network, a mobile phone communication network, and the like. As will be described later, the terminal 2 includes, for example, a wireless network interface and a mobile phone interface. The terminal 2 is connected to be communicable with the information storage device 1 while being able to communicate with a wireless network or a mobile phone communication network.

  The information storage device 1 is, for example, a NAS (Network Attached Storage), and includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13, as shown in FIG.

  Here, the control unit 11 is a program control device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and operates according to a program stored in the storage unit 12. In the present embodiment, the control unit 11 performs a process of generating a disk image associated with unique identification information for each storage medium attached to and detached from the terminal 2 (disk image generation process). In this disk image, data distributed to the terminal 2 is stored.

  When the control unit 11 receives the identification information of the storage medium connected to the terminal 2 from the terminal 2, the control unit 11 distributes the data in the disk image associated with the received identification information to the terminal 2. Process (distribution process). The specific processing contents of the control unit 11 will be described later.

  The storage unit 12 includes a memory, a disk medium, and the like. In the present embodiment, the storage unit 12 holds a program executed by the control unit 11. This program may be stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a DVD-ROM or provided via a network and stored in the storage unit 12.

  The storage unit 12 also functions as a storage unit that holds data distributed to the terminal 2. Specifically, the storage unit 12 stores a program (execution module) executed in the terminal 2. The storage unit 12 also holds video data reproduced on the terminal 2. Further, the storage unit 12 also operates as a work memory for the control unit 11.

  The communication unit 13 communicates with the terminal 2 via the network, and outputs identification information received from the terminal 2 to the control unit 11. The communication unit 13 distributes data or the like instructed from the control unit 11 to the terminal 2 via the network.

  The terminal 2 is, for example, a smartphone that operates on an operating system such as Android (registered trademark). As illustrated in FIG. 2, the terminal 2 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, an operation unit 23, a display unit 24, a communication unit 25, and a storage medium interface 26.

  The control unit 21 is a program control device such as a CPU, and operates according to a program stored in the storage unit 22 or a storage medium connected to the storage medium interface 26. In the present embodiment, when a storage medium is connected to the storage medium interface 26, the control unit 21 acquires identification information unique to the storage medium, and outputs the acquired identification information to the communication unit 25. The information is stored in the information storage device 1. The operation of the control unit 21 will be described later.

  The storage unit 22 is a memory or the like, and holds a program executed by the control unit 21. The storage unit 22 also operates as a work memory for the control unit 21. The program stored in the storage unit 22 may be read from a storage medium connected to the storage medium interface 26 and stored in the storage unit 22. The program may be transferred via a network or the like and stored in the storage unit 22.

  The operation unit 23 is a touch panel interface or the like, and outputs the content of the instruction operation to the control unit 21 in response to a user instruction operation. The display unit 24 is a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays and outputs information such as an image in accordance with an instruction input from the control unit 21.

  The communication unit 25 includes a wireless network interface, a mobile phone interface, and the like. The communication unit 25 transmits / receives information to / from an external device such as the information storage device 1 via a wireless network or a mobile phone communication network.

  The storage medium interface 26 is an SD card interface or the like, and accepts a removable storage medium such as an SD card. The storage medium interface 26 reads information stored in a storage medium such as an accepted SD card or the like from the control section 21 according to an instruction input from the control section 21. Write the indicated information.

  Next, operations of the control unit 11 of the information storage device 1 and the control unit 21 of the terminal 2 will be described. Here, for convenience, the operation of the control unit 21 of the terminal 2 will be described. In an example of this embodiment, the control unit 21 executes at least an initialization process that causes the information storage device 1 to generate a disk image and a data request process that causes the information storage device 1 to distribute data in the disk image. To do.

  When the control unit 21 receives an instruction from the user to perform the initialization process, the control unit 21 receives identification information unique to the storage medium connected to the storage medium interface 26 (if the storage medium is an SD card, the control unit 21 displays the medium identification information. Available) and information representing the storage capacity of the storage medium. Then, the control unit 21 transmits the identification information of the storage medium and information indicating the storage capacity to the information storage device 1 together with a request to generate a disk image.

  Further, when a storage medium is connected to the storage medium interface 26, the control unit 21 reads identification information of the connected storage medium as a data request process. Then, the control unit 21 transmits the read identification information to the information storage device 1.

  The control unit 21 receives distribution of data from the information storage device 1 and stores it in the storage unit 22. In an example of the present embodiment, the data distributed here is the disk image itself generated in the information storage device 1 (distributed in a compressed state and decompressed on the terminal 2 side. Is good). The control unit 21 develops the distributed disk image in the storage unit 22 and mounts the file system represented by the disk image. Accordingly, the control unit 21 can be shown to the user as if it is a file system in a storage medium connected to the storage medium interface 26.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 21 may copy and store the data in the disk image in a storage medium connected to the storage medium interface 26. Thereby, the data in the disk image and the data in the storage medium are synchronized (in this example, the data in the storage medium is overwritten by the data in the disk image).

  Also, the control unit 11 of the information storage device 1 according to the present embodiment functionally includes a data selection unit 31, a disk image generation unit 32, a distribution unit 33, as illustrated in FIG. It is comprised including.

  Here, the data selection unit 31 selects the data (distribution target data) that is actually distributed to the terminal 2 from the data that is stored in the storage unit 12 and can be distributed to the terminal 2, and the disk image generation unit 32. Output to.

  In an example of the present embodiment, the data selection unit 31 receives information (for example, a file of the data) specifying data to be distributed among the data stored in the storage unit 12 from the user of the terminal 2. (Name etc.) is accepted and memorized. Then, the data selection unit 31 outputs the data specified by the stored information to the disc image generation unit 32 as distribution target data.

  In response to an instruction from the user, the disk image generation unit 32 generates image data representing the entire file system of a storage medium such as an SD card connected to the terminal 2. In the present embodiment, the disk image generation unit 32 generates a disk image corresponding to an SD card or the like that actually exists. Specifically, in an example of the present embodiment, the disk image generation unit 32, from the terminal 2, together with identification information unique to a storage medium such as a corresponding SD card, and information indicating the storage capacity of the storage medium, Accept disk image generation instructions.

  When the disk image generation unit 32 receives the disk image generation instruction, the disk image generation unit 32 generates virtual file system data of the size of the received storage capacity in the storage unit 12, and the data selection unit 31 includes the virtual file system. Image data representing a state in which the output distribution target data is stored is generated.

  The disk image generation unit 32 stores the generated image data in the storage unit 12 in association with the identification information received together with the generation instruction. Here, since a well-known method can be adopted for generation of a disk image and the like, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  Further, the disk image generation unit 32 performs a process of updating the contents of data stored in the file system represented by the generated disk image. This process will be described later.

  The distribution unit 33 receives the identification information of the storage medium connected to the terminal 2 from the terminal 2, and reads the disk image stored in the storage unit 12 in association with the received identification information. The distribution unit 33 distributes data (data in the disk image) stored in the file system represented by the read disk image to the terminal 2 that is the transmission source of the identification information. In an example of the present embodiment, the distribution unit 33 distributes the entire read disk image data to the terminal 2. At this time, the distribution unit 33 may compress and distribute the disk image data to be distributed.

  The information system according to the present embodiment has the above configuration and operates as follows. In the following example, it is assumed that the storage medium detachable from the terminal 2 is an SD card.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4, when a user connects an SD card to the terminal 2 and instructs an initialization process (S1), the identification information of the SD card to which the terminal 2 is connected is read, and the SD card Information representing the storage capacity is acquired (S2). The terminal 2 transmits the identification information and information indicating the storage capacity to the information storage device 1 together with a disk image generation instruction (S3).

  The information storage device 1 refers to the information representing the storage capacity received from the terminal 2, and generates a disk image representing a file system having the size of the storage capacity (S4). The information storage device 1 stores the generated disk image in the storage unit 12 in association with the identification information received from the terminal 2 (S5).

  Thus, in the information storage device 1, the disk image generated in accordance with the instruction of the initialization process is stored in association with the identification information of the corresponding SD card (FIG. 5).

  In addition, the user operates the terminal 2, for example, and acquires a list of data stored in the information storage device 1 (S6). Then, the data desired to be distributed is selected from the data included in the list, and information indicating the result of the selection is transmitted to the information storage device 1 (S7).

  The information storage device 1 selects data to be distributed based on the received information, and stores the selected data in the generated file system (virtual file system) (S8). Thus, when this disk image is mounted, the selected data is stored in the file system represented by this disk image.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, each time the user connects an SD card to the terminal 2, the terminal 2 reads the identification information of the connected SD card (S 11), and the read identification information is stored in the information storage device 1. (S12).

  When receiving the identification information from the terminal 2, the information storage device 1 searches the storage unit 12 for a disk image stored in association with the received identification information (S13). If there is a disk image stored in association with the received identification information, the information storage device 1 distributes the data of the disk image to the terminal 2 (S14).

  The terminal 2 receives the disk image data, stores it in the storage unit 22, and mounts the file system represented by the disk image (S15). Any data in the disk image mounted in this way is handled in the same manner as that stored in the SD card. Therefore, for example, if the data of the executable module is stored in this disk image, the control unit 21 of the terminal 2 can execute the process according to the data.

  When the user removes the SD card connected to the terminal 2 and connects another SD card, the terminal 2 reads the identification information of the newly connected SD card and sends the read identification information to the information storage device 1. Send.

  The information storage device 1 receives the identification information from the terminal 2 and searches the storage unit 12 for a disk image stored in association with the received identification information. If there is a disk image stored in association with the received identification information, the information storage device 1 transmits the data of the disk image to the terminal 2.

  As a result, the terminal 2 receives the disk image data corresponding to the newly connected SD card. That is, according to the present embodiment, the terminal 2 mounts a disk image corresponding to the connected SD card. Therefore, the disk image to be mounted can be made different by replacing the SD card. In addition, by transferring the SD card to another terminal 2, the data stored in the file system represented by the disk image corresponding to the SD card can be transferred to the other terminal 2. Become.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the terminal 2 may write data to the mounted disk image. In this case, the terminal 2 transmits the written data to the information storage device 1. Further, in the case of being configured to be writable in this way, the control unit 11 of the information storage device 1 functionally includes a data selection unit 31, a disk image generation unit 32, and distribution as illustrated in FIG. 3B. Unit 33 and a disk image update unit 34. Here, components having the same configuration as that illustrated in FIG. 3A are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The disk image update unit 34 receives data written to the disk image mounted on the terminal 2 from the terminal 2, and distributes the received data to the terminal 2 that is the transmission source of the data. It is stored in the file system represented by the image, and the disk image is updated and held in the storage unit 12.

  Further, when the terminal 2 cannot transmit the data written in the mounted disk image to the information storage device 1 due to a failure in the communication path, the terminal 2 is connected to the storage medium interface 26. The data may be stored in an SD card as a medium.

  In this case, the terminal 2 transmits the data stored in the SD card to the information storage device 1 when communication with the information storage device 1 becomes possible, such as when the communication path defect is resolved.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the terminal 2 may record the contents of the disk image distributed from the information storage device 1 on an SD card as a storage medium connected to the storage medium interface 26. In this case, the storage content of the storage medium and the content of the disk image generated by the information storage device 1 corresponding to the storage medium and distributed to the terminal 2 are synchronized.

  In the present embodiment, communication between the information storage device 1 and the terminal 2 is performed via a plurality of types of routes such as a wireless network and a mobile phone communication network. Here, since the communication speed differs for each route, for example, data that can be distributed within a certain time on one route may not be completed within a realistic time on the other route. Therefore, in the information storage device 1 of the present embodiment, when selecting data to be distributed, the data to be distributed may be determined using information on the communication speed at that time.

  Specifically, in the information storage device 1 according to another example of the present embodiment, the control unit 11 functionally has a data selection unit 31 ′, a disk image generation unit 32, and a distribution unit as shown in FIG. 33 and a communication speed acquisition unit 36. In the example of FIG. 7, a disk image update unit 34 may be further provided. Further, components having the same configuration as in the example of FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  Here, the communication speed acquisition unit 36 acquires information on the communication speed with the terminal 2. The communication speed information is not necessarily a specific numerical value, and may be information indicating the type of communication path. This is because the approximate communication speed is estimated also by information indicating the type of communication path.

  In the present embodiment, the communication speed acquisition unit 36 may acquire communication speed information by a method of measuring the throughput of data transmitted and received as an example. In addition, the communication speed acquisition unit 36 may acquire information indicating the type of the currently connected communication path (type such as a wireless network or a mobile phone communication network) as information indicating the communication speed from the terminal 2 side. Good.

  Similarly to the data selection unit 31, the data selection unit 31 ′ receives information that specifies data to be distributed among the data stored in the storage unit 12 from the user of the terminal 2 (for example, a file of the data) (Name etc.) is accepted and memorized. Then, the data selection unit 31 ′ selects the data specified by the stored information as the distribution target candidate data when the distribution process is executed (for example, before the execution of the process S14 in FIG. 6).

  The data selection unit 31 ′ refers to the communication speed information acquired by the communication speed acquisition unit 36. Then, the data selection unit 31 ′ outputs, to the disk image generation unit 32, as data to be distributed, data that is less than or less than the limit size determined according to the communication speed information among the selected distribution target candidate data. To do. Then, the disk image generation unit 32 generates a disk image representing a file system storing the data output from the data selection unit 31 ′. In the example of this embodiment, data in the file system represented by the disk image is selected at the time of distribution. Here, since the entire disk image is distributed, the data selection unit 31 ′ selects data to be stored as a distribution target in the disk image. Instead, the distribution unit 33 sends the data to the terminal 2. Of the data in the disk image corresponding to the connected storage medium, the data selected by the data selection unit 31 ′ may be distributed.

  Specifically, when the communication speed information acquired by the communication speed acquisition unit 36 is a numerical value indicating a specific communication speed, the data selection unit 31 ′ increases the limit size as the numerical value indicating the communication speed increases. Determine large. If the communication speed information acquired by the communication speed acquisition unit 36 is information indicating the type of communication path, a limit size is set in advance for each information indicating the type of communication path. Then, it is only necessary to acquire and use information of a predetermined limit size corresponding to information indicating the type of the communication path.

  According to the present embodiment, the information storage device 1 stores a disk image in which data designated by the user is stored via a communication means such as a network without copying necessary data to a storage medium in advance. Since it is distributed, it can be mounted and used on the terminal 2 side, and convenience can be improved.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the control unit 21 of the terminal 2 operates according to the program stored in the storage unit 22, and when reading or writing data, as illustrated in FIG. (S21), and when communication with the information storage device 1 is possible, a flag (initially reset) indicating that the data held in the storage medium has been set is set. It is checked whether or not it is done (S22). If the flag is not set (if it is in a reset state), the control unit 21 reads data in the disk image distributed by the information storage device 1 and writes data to the disk image (this reading, This is called “access” including writing) (S23).

  On the other hand, when the communication with the information storage device 1 is not possible in the process S21, the control unit 21 reads the data held in the storage medium connected to the terminal 2 and writes the data to the disk image (held in the storage medium). The data thus obtained is accessed: S24). At this time, the control unit 21 sets a flag indicating that the data held in the storage medium has been accessed (S25).

  If the flag indicating that the data held in the storage medium is accessed is set in step S22, the control unit 21 uses the disk image held by the information storage device 1 for the data held in the storage medium. The data in the storage medium of the terminal 2 and the data in the disk image provided from the information storage device 1 side are synchronized (S26). And the control part 21 transfers to process S23. That is, in this example, the control unit 21 also functions as a synchronization control unit.

  In step S25, the flag may be set only when data is written to the storage medium.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information storage device, 2 terminal, 11, 21 Control part, 12, 22 Storage part, 13, 25 Communication part, 23 Operation part, 24 Display part, 26 Storage medium interface, 31, 31 'Data selection part, 32 Disk image Generation unit, 33 distribution unit, 34 disk image update unit, 36 communication speed acquisition unit.

Claims (2)

A terminal connected to a removable storage medium,
Stores data to be distributed to the terminal, and generates a disk image associated with identification information unique to each storage medium attached and detached on the terminal side and storing at least a part of the data Communication means for receiving identification information of a storage medium connected to the terminal from the terminal, and communicating with the information storage device for distributing data in the disk image associated with the received identification information to the terminal side When,
While the communication means can communicate with the information storage device, the information storage device accesses the data in the disk image generated in association with the identification information unique to the storage medium and distributes the data. And, while the communication means cannot communicate with the information storage device, data access means for accessing data held in the storage medium connected to a terminal;
Including
When receiving the data distribution, the data in the disk image is copied and stored in the storage medium connected to the terminal,
A disk image generated by the information storage device in association with identification information unique to the storage medium when the communication means in a state incapable of communication with the information storage device is able to communicate with the information storage device. A terminal further comprising synchronization control means for synchronizing the data in the storage device and the data held in the storage medium connected to the terminal. A terminal computer connected to a removable storage medium,
Stores data to be distributed to the terminal, and generates a disk image associated with identification information unique to each storage medium attached and detached on the terminal side and storing at least a part of the data Communication means for receiving identification information of a storage medium connected to the terminal from the terminal, and communicating with the information storage device for distributing data in the disk image associated with the received identification information to the terminal side When,
While the communication means can communicate with the information storage device, the information storage device accesses the data in the disk image generated in association with the identification information unique to the storage medium and distributes the data. When the distribution of the data is received , the data in the disk image is copied and stored in the storage medium connected to the terminal, and the communication means cannot communicate with the information storage device. Data access means for accessing data held in the storage medium connected to the terminal;
A disk image generated by the information storage device in association with identification information unique to the storage medium when the communication means in a state incapable of communication with the information storage device is able to communicate with the information storage device. A program that functions as synchronization control means for synchronizing data stored in the storage medium and data held in the storage medium connected to the terminal .

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